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Re: Mikael.How much of the Osprey is their? N/T

Posted by Mikael O on Wed Oct 30, 2002 12:15:44 PM

In reply top Mikael.How much of the Osprey is their? N/T posted by Paul McMillan on Wed Oct 30, 2002 07:39:04 AM

Hi Paul,

Was the Osprey new to you? :-)

Ok, it has c/n 2403, FV403 has carried markings 2+3, 2+33 and 2+43 before being sold and registered as SE-AYR 47-02-14. During military service it served on the Swedish aircraft cruiser Gotland (equiped with catapult). It was used later by the company Ostermans Aero AB for flying fish in the north of Sweden. It crashed 48-09-11 more or less in the outback, though I don't think it was serious damage, might have been only damage to the floats or so. It was enought to leave it there. Over the years parts were removed until the aircraft was recovered in 1985. The remains include fuselage from engine to the second seat, upper wings, tanks and some sections of the rear fuselage was recovered in good condition from a farm nearby. The floats were missing. The lower wings had been used to build other stuff. One engine was recovered nearby.

A cowling exist in another museum (Arlanda collection) and different parts for the Hawker Hart exists at the Flygvapenmuseum which also can be used in a restoration.

It is estimated that some 70% of an aircraft has been collected.

Well, what about the floats? Progress has been made there to. It's a good story so here it goes...

In the -70's a man living in the archipelago of Gothenburg bought a Percival P.31 Proctor Mk.IV (SE-CEA). He removed the wings and attached a set of floats from a Hawker Osprey. With this "craft" he travelled around on the water until the coast guard cought him and put an end to it. The owner then sold his "craft" to a person who didn't need the floats. He contacted the Flygvapenmuseum and asked if they wanted them. The museum declined (!!!!!!). The new owner wanted to trade his proctor for a Tiger Moth and contacted RAFM Hendon. They already had an Proctor and wasn't interested, but they got very interested in the floats which was gifted? to RAFM and they were collected by the Navy during a visit in Gothenbourg. The RAF Museum have agreed to return the floats to Sweden if a restoration of the Hawker Osprey is begun.

So hopefully we will one day see a complete Hawker Osprey next to an Hawker Hart at Flygvapenmuseum.

/Mikael

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